Real Estate Blog

A Real Estate Agent's Perspective on the Infamous Map of Grand Rapids

If you’re a Grand Rapids resident, you’ve no doubt seen the infamous “Map of Grand Rapids” that’s been circulating its way through local media outlets and social media sites over the past few days …

Understandably, that map has stirred up quite a bit of controversy, both in the real estate sector and among the general public at large. Because we at SVG Real Estate Firm pride ourselves on our intimate knowledge and fondness for all corners of Grand Rapids and its surrounding neighborhoods, we decided to create a Grand Rapids area map of our own, based on our own experiences buying and selling property and counseling real estate clients throughout Grand Rapids and the greater Grand Rapids communities.

Here follows SVG’s very own “Map of Grand…

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5 Grand Rapids 5k Races You Probably Didn't Know About

Runners, rejoice! You’ve got plenty of options when it comes to fun and funky 5K runs in Grand Rapids this summer!

1. 5K Chocolate Party – May 24, 9:00 AM @ Millenium Park: What greater motivation to get up off the couch and set yourself sprinting through a 5K course than for the promise of chocolate?! The 5K Chocolate Party will feature a chocolate goody bag for all participants plus optional samples of everybody’s favorite sweet treat along the course. Still not enough for your sweet tooth? Enjoy a chocolate party after the race! Proceeds will benefit a local non-profit.

2. Totally Rad 80s Run 5K – June 14, 6:30 PM @ 4500 West River Dr in Comstock Park: Like, wow! The Totally Rad 80s Run 5K lets you travel back in time to the decade when fuzzy…

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6 Non-Traditional Grand Rapids Brunch Spots To Get Your Egg Cracked (or Not)

Shake Up Your Easter Sunday at Any One of These Great Grand Rapids Restaurants!

Getting tired of the same old omelet stations, Belgian waffle bins and baked ham dishes prepared en masse that are the hallmarks of a traditional Easter feast? Why not try something different this year and branch out for brunch?* You won’t have to travel far, Grand Rapids has some of the best unconventional brunch options around – on Easter and throughout the entire year!

1. Gaia Cafe (EGR) – Located at 209 Diamond Ave NE, the intimate Gaia Cafe serves an all-vegetarian and vegan-friendly menuthat will have even die hard carnivores falling in love at first bite. Cornbread French Toast, Veggie Hash and the Mean Green Burrito are some top favorites, with rotating…

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How to Spring Break in Michigan

Feeling a little left out this week? All those beach getaway photos being posted by friends in your Facebook feed got you wanting to press the ‘Block’ button and tell them to go bury their heads in the sand?

Don’t despair! West Michigan has plenty of ways to help you capture some of that spring break spirit!

Here are 10 fun ways for you to have your own Spring Break in & around West Michigan!

1. Instead of Daytona Beach, FL … A Day at the beach anywhere along West Michigan’s beautiful lakeshore! Sure, it’s a little early yet and the water will be much too cold even for dipping your toes. But the sand will still be sugar-soft, and all that sunshine and blue sky will help wash away those winter blahs for good!

2. Instead of margaritas on the…

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13 Places to find your zen in and around Grand Rapids

It’s not hard to find excitement and fun stuff to do on just about any given day in Grand Rapids. City festivals, community events and new downtown venues keep things pretty hoppin’ throughout the weeks. But what about those times when you need to disconnect from it all and find your own little quiet corner for some peaceful meditation and reflection? Well, lucky for you solitude-seekers, the city and its surrounding areas has plenty of spots for that, too!

We hereby present our list of our 13 favorite places in and around Grand Rapids to “Find your Zen”.

1. Fish Ladder – Put yourself in the thick of the roaring rapids our city is famous for and take a venture to the’ Fish Ladder located at the Sixth Street dam near downtown where stairstep…

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Ten Reasons Why Grand Rapids Has Made It To 'Top Ten' National List Placements

If you’re a resident of Grand Rapids, you know you’ve got plenty of reasons to smile. Our city has been the subject of a lot of media buzz over the years after all – seems like every time we turn around, we’ve  made it into another national Top Ten list of awesomeness.

There have been SO so many Grand Rapids recognitions as of late, in fact, that we found ourselves beginning to lose track of them all. So we decided to put together our very own ‘Top Ten’ list of Grand Rapids awesomeness, and we do hereby present to you the …

Top 10 Grand Rapids ‘TOP TEN’ National List Placements!

1. Grand Rapids #2 for ‘Top U.S. Cities’ (RelocateAmerica – 2011) – Study was based on local residential real estate markets and economies, safety/security, cultural…

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"Frost Quake" Causes Houses To Go Bump In The Night

Seasonal Temperature Shifts Following Brutal Winter Makes for Noisy Houses

The calendar may tell us that springtime is nigh, but for residents throughout Michigan, below-average temperatures and winter-like weather continues to blow through our cities and towns.

At the same time, fleeting hints of the coming spring make themselves evident every now and again. It’s the time of year when a day of snow squalls and howling winds can be followed by one of sunshine and mild breezes. But once the sun goes down, the air turns frigid again … and that’s when your house might have some serious talking back to do.

We’re talkin’ bangs and pops that go beyond the usual creaky floors. Bumps and thumps from within the walls that residents have compared to…

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Wintertime "Spring Cleaning" Tips for Home Sellers

Selling this Spring? NOW is the Time to Get Your Home Ready for the Market!

Are you waiting for the weather get nice before tackling those spring-cleaning projects in preparation for putting your house on the market? Don’t wait! The spring home-selling season begins earlier than many people think – like while there’s still snow on the ground. If you want a for sale sign in the yard right just as the market heats up with buyers, NOW is the time to get your house ready for it.

Here are a few simple “spring cleaning” projects you can easily tackle while snowbound!

1. Wash Your Windows – The outside part will have to wait, of course, but for now you can make the inside sparkle with the help of some simple window-cleaning supplies and maybe a…

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East Grand Rapids Market Stats: The Numbers Are In

EGR residents, if you’re wondering how your neighborhood housing market fared last year,  we’ve got good news for you! Annual market numbers show positive growth with upward trends continuing into 2014.

In 2013, the total number of homes sold in East Grand Rapids was 256, with an average sale price of $340,802. Homes that remained on the market 30 days or less sold for over 97% of asking price while those that remained listed for 3 – 4 months sold for 94% of asking price.

If you’re looking to buy or sell in the East Grand Rapids area, the SVG Firm can help you meet your real estate goals! Call us today at (616) 439-1927.

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3 Important Stats You Should Know for Selling Your Downtown Condo

We have some exciting statistics that we want to share with you about selling your downtown Grand Rapids condo!

1. Already in 2013, 47 condos have sold downtown, which is a 7 unit increase from this time last year.
2. Unit prices are up by 10% in 2013! Condos are selling for an average of $225,000, which is a $20,000 increase from 2012.
3. Last year at this time, condos were on the market for an average of 140 days.

Condos are selling an average of 50 DAYS SOONER in 2013! As you can see, now is a great time to sell your downtown condo! We’d love to help you, so give Steve Volkers Group a call today.

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